Help with excursion choices?
 

Hi - I just found out that I am going to go to Alaska on a one-week cruise with a close friend, her husband, 1 year old and her mother-in-law. I am sure I will spend some time babysitting, and most of the time with my girlfriend and her infant.

Any suggestions for excursions to the following: Juneau; Skagway; Ketchikan; Victoria?

Ideally, I would like to know of anything that is not to be missed that is family-friendly and then anything that I should try to get to do by myself or with my friend (sans baby). I would love some wildlife, adventure, and just soaking in the culture.

Thanks much!! I have started searching through this site, but I didn't see specifics.

Jen

You need to do your homework and look over your shore excursion list, then NARROW down your interests. I would not plan on many tours that are appropriate with an infant. For me only, I would definately go my own way with my choices.

There are hundreds of excellent tours to consider. Repost your top choices, then you'll get specific information.

I think reading before your trip will help you 'soak in the culture'. Skagway and the Chilkhoot trail were the beginning point for gold hunters who were traveling to the Yukon. We saw a short vaudeville play about the gold rush days. The train ride would be infant friendly but if it is foggy you won't see the views. Much of Skagway's downtown is the original buildings. Some of the businesses are very tourist oriented so when you are shopping, look for made in Alaska signs.

Thank you for your responses. As soon as I know for sure that I am going, I will do my homework, and come back and repost. Thanks again - I appreciate it!

Just wanted to bring this post back to the top since I too would like some feedback on the Alaskan excursions. We are going in August, 2008. Based on the posts here(and no one here has been wrong yet, at least based on a previous vacation we took to Yosemite and surroundings), we have "pre-reserved" the helicopter to Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau and the White Pass Railway in Skagway. The question seems to be Ketchikan. Our ship calls for us to be there 6:30AM-4PM. Based on most comments, seems like it is better just to improvise and walk around. Or is the Clover Pass Bike Ride worth a shot? Seems that at 3.5 hours, we could do the ride AND still have time to stroll Ketchikan. Any thoughts on the bike ride? We are are okay physically(walkers, not biking). Any Ketchikan suggestions are much appreciated!

We took the DUKW ride in Ketchikan and wished that we had gone to the totem pole museum instead (could have walked to it).

I appreciate the reply, Bobmrg. It seems to go right along with a couple of other website's "less-than-enthusiastic" reviews of just about any Ketchikan excursion. Guess it is a little surprising when I see all the "do it no matter what it costs!" excursion reviews from Skagway and Juneau!